Do You See The Family Resemblance?

Last Friday, my sister Penny went to get her head shaved because her hair had begun to fall out as a result of the chemo treatments. I know that it was a very difficult day for her, so I wanted to do something to help.

So, while she was getting her head shaved in CA, I was getting mine shaved in MI. Those that know me, understand that this was not an easy thing to do. I am very OCD when it comes to my hair. But, I couldn't let Penny take this step alone! I was able to send pictures and made a video of the event for her and I was able to upload it to the net so that she could see it that same afternoon. I am so thankful that it help to bring a smile to her face and make the day just a little easier to face.

I thought that I would let you decide for yourself if you notice any family resemblance.

enjoy, Bob





Can you guess which ones Penny?
Here's a clue...she's the cute one!

Failure is not an option

Today I had the chance to sit with my sister Penny as she received her second dose of chemo-therapy. (just 6 more treatments...yea God!

I thank God that I could be here to walk a few steps with her on this journey that she is experiencing. It is a long difficult climb, but she is determined to be victorious as she trusts in Jesus to see her through.

Penny wears a rubber band bracelet on her left wrist that simply says: "Failure is not an option" It sums up her entire approach to her battle with cancer and I know that It's not just a motto or a wish, it is the conviction she has as she trust in Jesus, the promise of God that resounds in her heart!

I'm not sure what valley you might be facing or what hill you are climbing in your life right now, but what ever it is I want to encourage you not to give up. Do not lose heart because the battle is already won! If God is for us, who can be against us!

Today I will take another step with Penny, another step with Jesus, another step on the journey..."because failure is not an option"!

Bob

It's About Perspective

Have you ever felt like the worlds against you? Like the odds are not in your favor and you just can't catch a break. It never ceases to amaze me how powerful one negative comment / person can be. It can steal our energy, enthusiasm and dreams. We lose all focus of everything else and are unable to take another step in our journey, all because of one comment or a few people.

Over our last few staff devotions we have been reading through Acts 21 - 23. Paul has returned to Jerusalem only to experience what everyone had warned him about, opposition at every turn. While at the temple, a few Jew's from Asia turned the crowed against him. After addressing the crowed and boldly proclaiming the Gospel, Paul is forced to face the Sanhedrin and later discovers that there are 40 men who have taken a vow not to eat until Paul is dead. Talk about opposition! More than enough to steal any ones dreams.

However, the Lord reminds Paul that he is not alone and tells him to "Take Courage"! In other words, "Don't worry Paul, I've got your back!" Jesus goes on to show Paul that there are far more people supporting him than there are opposing him. The list of those that God has put in place to support Paul include: The Roman Commander, his nephew, 200 sounders and 70 horsemen and 200 spearmen. Now that's support!

The point is simple, it's all about perspective. You and I will face opposition as we strive to live for Jesus and take our next steps toward Christ. It might come in negative comments or a lack of support. But the Lord wants us to remember that "He's got our back!" The next time someone tries to steal your dreams take a look around, I'm certain that you have far more support than the few / the one that is opposing you. "Take Courage!" because Jesus has your back!

Confidently moving forward with you,

Bob

Do you Dread Mondays?

I tend to think that most people dread Monday mornings because it's back to the grind, the beginning of another long work week with all its demands and expectations. I have to admit, that I use to feel that way about Monday's, until recently.

Matthew (Journey's Director of Worship and Arts) and I meet every Monday morning as a staff to go over the previous Sunday and look at the week ahead and even beyond. Lately Journey's drummer Matt Rubino has been joining us for our Monday monrning meeting. You might be wondering, what's so special about a staff meeting? It's not so much our meeting, but the way we begin our week. We have been reading through the book of Acts, typically one chapter at a time, and asking 2 very simple questions. First we ask, What caught your attention? (It could be anything, from the thought provoking to something trivial. We talk about it, read through the notes in our study bibles, look up additional passages and generally just think...wow that's interesting.) Our second question is, What does this passage have to do with Journey or our roles as ministry staff or our individual lives? (This is where we try and apply what God is trying to teach us. You would be surprised how much of what we read is exactly what we need to hear for that week or gives us insight into the challenges that we might be facing.)

If you have been dreading Mondays, why not let Jesus set the stage for your week. It can be as simple as 10 minutes, one verse and 2 questions before you head out the door, or the first 15 minutes as you sit at your desk. You could make use of your drive into the office with a good book on CD or the latest Journey Pod Cast. Jesus can touch our lives in so many ways if we just let Him. Even on Mondays!

Just another step on the Journey,

Bob

Understanding How God Works

This last week I had the opportunity to visit a few blogs and found some that I really enjoyed. I have listed them on right if you would like to check them out. Anyway, as I read some of what God was doing at other churches I found myself becoming envious and a bit jealous. I know what your thinking, but "The Battle Within" effects me just as much as anyone else!

The main culprit of my battle with jealousy was National Community Church. The are a very exciting ministry in Washington DC. that has a lot in common with Journey . They are one church with 3 locations, one is a theater, another in a mall and the third is a church owned and operated coffeehouse.

Have you ever been frustrated with other people coming up with your ideas? There are so many times when i have an idea for a book or a new approach in ministry and then I read about those ideas in a book or come across a church like Nation Community (the latest in my long list of dream stealer's) that is implementing ideas / vision that I have shared with many people in our own ministry. As I wrestled with my feelings of frustration and jealousy I came to some profound conclusions. Maybe all these years that I have felt like others were stealing "my" dreams or implementing "my" vision for ministry wasn't meant to frustrated me but to affirm what God was trying to do!

The Lord has been working on me this last few days to help me understand what He is up to. You see, it was never really "my" dream or "my" vision to begin with. God had lead me to see what He wanted me to see, to dream, to set goals and to move forward in ministry in the direction that Jesus had set in motion. It should be no surprise that if the Lord is leading me to understand what He desires to accomplish in and through His people, that He would be leading others in the same way. It never was my vision but God's vision placed in my heart that I might lead His people in the way that He desired. What a wake up call! All this time when I was jealous or envious of what others were doing, feeling like i was three steps behind and never going to catch up, God was simply trying to affirm the vision that He had laid on my heart.

What an awesome and wonderful God we serve! He has lovingly opened my heart and mind to understand how He is working among His church, what He desires and where He is leading. I will no longer be jealous of what others are doing or whine when I see ideas, dreams and vision that He has place on my heart in the books or ministries of others. Instead, I will see that as an affirmation that we are walking in the right direction. I will use it as a catalyst to launch us forward in ministry and I will thank my God for using others to affirm the steps we are taking.

One Giant Step on the Journey,

Bob